July 20, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian program has announced the signing of Hunt Seat rider Sydney Smith (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand High School) to a National Letter of Intent.

“Sydney has a wealth of experience riding a variety of different horses since her family is active in the industry,” Hunt Seat coach Carol Gwin said. “She has been highly competitive in the equitation and jumper ranks and we are looking forward to having her join the Gamecock Equestrian family”

Smith trains with her mother Kristi Smith and Mark Jungherr, and is an accomplished rider at every level of competition, including multiple medals finals and championships. She has competed successfully up to the Medium Junior Jumpers level, and was the reserve circuit champion in the Hits Ocala Small Older Junior Hunters. Some of her other youth highlights include:

2011
• Earned multiple ribbons in Small Older Junior Hunters at the Kentucky National Horse Show
• 1st Place at Zone-1 Medal Finals
• 3rd Place at Regional Medal Finals

2010
• 10th Place at ASPCA Maclay Finals
• 1st Place at Marshall and Sterling Junior Medal Finals
• 10th Place at ASPCA Maclay Regionals
• Earned a ribbon at Devon

2009
• 10th Place at ASPCA Maclay Regionals
• Earned a Ribbon at Devon

Born May 6, 1994 to parents Roger and Kristi Smith, Smith has two brothers, Russell (21) and Trevor (20). Her mother Kristi rides professionally trains out of Cedar Brooks Farm. Before signing with South Carolina, Sydney Smith considered attending UMASS Amherst.

During her high school career at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Conn., Smith maintained a 3.55 GPA and made the honor roll during every academic term.

Smith will study at the Darla Moore School of Business. The Darla Moore School of Business is ranked No. 1 in undergraduate international business education by U.S.News & World Report in its September 2012 annual survey “America’s Best Colleges Guide” — the 15th year the school has received this distinction. The University of South Carolina’s international business faculty has been rated #1 in research productivity by the Journal of International Business Studies.